Automatic lubricating apparatus



(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3..

G. W. BAKER. Automatic Lubricating Apparatus. No. 233,391. `Patented Oct. 19,1880.

l C' ya Y t@ i E er MFEERS, PHQTLlTNoGRAPMER. WASHINGTON, Dv (IA (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

G. W. BAKER. Automatic Lubricating Apparatus.

No. 233,391. Patented Oct. 19,1880.

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NJPETEWS, PHOTDJ ITHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON D C UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE W. BAKER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

AUTOMATIC LUBRICATING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming' part of Letters Patent No. 233,391, dated October 19, 1880.

Application iiled May 31, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE NV. BAKER, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in an Automatic Lubricating Apparatus; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, that will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to construct and make use of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to theletters and iigures of reference marked thereon, forming a part of this specification.

This invention relates to that class of lubricating devices which are employed to lubricate thevalves and cylinders of steam-en gines, and is more especially intended to be used in connection with locomotive-engines; but the general construction, arrangement, and operation are such that it is adapted to be used on all kinds of steam-engines for the purpose of lubricating the interior working parts of the same.

My improved lubricating apparatus is so constructed and arranged as to admit of its being automatically operated either by means of a hydrostatic pressure or by the action ot' the vacuum formed in the steam-chest and cylinder of the engine when the same is running dry. The application of a hydrostatic pressure adapts the device to automatically supply a continuous flow of oil to the parts to be lubricated by mingling the oil with the 'steam passing to the engine, and the several parts are so arranged as to be adjustable for the purpose of accurately regulating the flow-of the oil from the reservoir and conveniently gaging the quantity in accordance with the requirements of the parts being lubricated. When it is not desirable to make use of the hydrostatic-pressure attachment for keeping up a continuous feed of oil the valves provided for this purpose may be closed, shutting off the communication between the condenser and the oil-reservoir. The lubricant will then only be drawn from the reservoir to the valvechamber and cylinder of the engine by the suction of the piston when operating as an airpump.

By combining the hydrostatic pressure with the action of the vacuum a continuous feed may be had through one and the same oilpipe, leading directly from the oil-reservoir to the valve-chamber, the hydrostatic pressure forcing the o l into the valve-chamber when the engine is working steam, and the pressure and vacuum acting in unison when the steam is shut off and the engine running dry. By this arrangement it is very evident that the operative functions of the lubricator can be depended upon at all times.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved lubricating apparatus; Fig.2, a vertical transverse central section, and Fig. 3 a vertical central section of the same in the longitudinal line of the boiler. Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 7 are detached details of construction. Fig. 8 shows the lubricating apparatus attached, inside of the cab, to the head of a locomotive-boiler, and also having lubricating connection with the air-brake attachment. Fig. 9 is a side elevation, in section, of part of alocomotive-boiler, showing an oil-conducting pipe leading from the oil-reservoirinto the steam-dome and Fig. 10, a view of the same, showing the oil-conducting pipe leading into the dry-pipe. Fig. 11 shows a connection for conducting the lubricant direct to the valve-chamber or steamchest; and Fig. 12, a side elevation of a locomotive, showing the position of the oil-pipe forming a direct connection between the oilreservoir and the engine.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a transparent oil-reservoir provided with graduated lines or spaces for indicating the quantity of oil being used. This oil-reservoir is ordinarily composed of glass, is cylindrical in form, and the ends are inelosed and protected by means of the metallic heads a. The rods or bolts c are for holding and clamping the heads or ends c to their proper position in connection with the oil-reservoir A.

The condensing-chamber C receives steam from the boiler through the pipe 14 and the globe-valve 13, as shown in Figs. 8 and 11 of the drawings. The water from the condensing-chamber C passes down through the condensing-tube 15 into the passage leading to the globe-valve 16, through which it passes to the Siphon-pipe 17, arranged in a vertical plane on the inside of the oil-reservoir A, and is discharged into the reservoir at a point near the IOO bottom through the open end of the siphonpipe 17, the qnaiitity of water admitted into the oil-reservoir from the coiideiising-clianiber C being regulated by means of the globe-valve Vhen making use of the hydrostatic pressure the oil-reservoir will contain both oil and water. The oil, being the lighter body of the two, will, as a inatter ofcourse, iloat on the top of the water. If the water be admitted into the oil-reservoir drop by drop, the oil will bc expelled therefrom in the saine proportionate quantity, and by properly adjusting the globe- ,valves provided for the purpose the oil may be fed very slow or very fast, as may be required. The condensing-chamber C being placed at a higher elevation relative to the oil-reservoiiiA makes a provision t'or always insuring an excessive pressure in the condensing-chamber.

The short vertical tube 18, placed in the lower end and on the inside ot' the ieservoir A, as shown in Fig. 2 ot' the drawings, is for the purpose of forming a trap on the inside of the oil-reservoir in connection with the siphonpipe 17. This tube 18 should always extend upward to a short distance above the lower open end of the siphon-pipe 17, which prevents the water from being drawn below this point, and the same arrangement prevents the oil from passing into the Siphon-pipe. The water in the reservoir above the end of the tube 18 can be drawn down and out through the same by opening thel waste-valve 19, located at the lower end of the oil-reservoir. This vertical tube 18 is not connected to the siplion-pipe, but when arranged as shown in Fig. 2 ot' the drawings should be of a much larger area than the open end of the siplioii-pipe, so as not to obstruct the passage from the siphonpipe into the reservoir. This tube-extension may be placed at one side ofthe siphon-pipe, instead of in the same plane, in which case the diameter ot' the tube need not bc taken into consideration with reference to the siphonpipe.

The globe-valves 20 and 21 arc for the purpose of regulating the tlow ofthe oil from the reservoir A to the parts being lubricated. By this dual arrangement the lubricant is conducted to two different points from one and the saine receptacle.

Placed above the valves 20 and 1 are the ball-valves 22, back-seating inside of a cage, a longitudinal and transverse section of which is shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings. These ball-valves are prevented from entirely closing the passage when back-seating by the action of the spiral springs 23, which also assist in returning the ball-valves to their seat proper for closing the passage in which they are placed. These ball-valves also prevent all possibility ot' a back-pressure entering and bursting the glass oil-reservoir A.

Next above the ball-valves are arranged the glass indicating-tubes 24, by means ot' which observations may be taken at this point of the amount of oil passing to the parts beinglubricated. These glass tubes are protected from liability ot' being broken by the cages 25, inclosing the same. The tapering nozzles 26, projecting upward inside of the lower end of the glass indicating-tubes, discharge the oil into the same in the form of drops, which adhere to and follow along the wires 27, which pass through the longitudinal center of the glass tubes, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Tliese wires are more expressly for the purpose of preventing the oil from collecting on the. inner surface ofthe glass tubes and destroying the transparency of the saine. The lower ends of these wire conductors are loosely arranged, and extend downward for a short distance on the inside of the nozzles 26, as shown in Fig. 2 ot the drawings. The upper ends of these wires are attached to and pass through perforations in the inner edges ofthe metal ring or gasket 28, (shown in Figs. 2 and 7 of the drawings,) this metal ring serving the double purpose ot' holding the oil-coiiductiiig wires and forming a gasketfor the connectingjoint at this point.

The joints around the ends of the glass indicatiiig-tubcs are made with the rubber rings 29 and the soft-metal rings 30, arranged as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. These parts have threaded connections, and may be drawn sufficiently close with the grasp of the fingers ot' the operator to make a perfectly tight joint, and at the saine time make proper allowance for the expansion of the glass tubes, and avoid fi-acturing the same from this cause. From the upper ends of these glass indicating-tubes lead the connecting-pipes for conducting the oil to the parts to be lubricated.

The oil is supplied to therescrvoirA through the top by removing the screw-cap 31. This cap is of precisely the saine form of construction as that already shown and described in the Letters latent issued to me March 30, 1580, and forms substantially an air-tight receptacle.

Figs. 8 and 11 of the drawings show different ways of arranging and connecting the oilcondncting pipes. 1n Fig. 8 of the drawings the oil-pipe 32 leads into the steam-dome attached to the boiler, and is turned upward at right angles and left open at this end, as shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings, so as to discharge the oil into and inngle the saine with the body of the steam in the boiler and lubricating it before it passes to the engine. This ariangement, of course, only allows the lubricant to reach the engine when working steam.

By leading the oil-conducting pipe into the dry-pipe in the inailner shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings provision is made for a continuous flow ot' oil, both when the engine is working steam and running dry. The globe-valve 253 (shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings) closes the oil-passage leading to the steam-dome or dry-pipe.

IIO

As shown in Fig. Slot' the drawings, the apparatus is designed` and arranged to lubricate the air-brake attachment from the right-hand side through the oil-pipe 34, the ball-valve 35, and the globe-valve 36.

In Fig. 11 of the drawings, the yparts are so arranged as to supply the `lubricant to the airbrake attachment from the 1eft-hand side of the reservoir through the oil-pipe 37 and the globe-valveSS. Theright-handoil-pipe39now leads to the valve-chamber direct, as shown in Fig. 12 of the drawings.

When mineral or vegetable oils are used as a lubricant the oil may be injected directly into the steam-dome of the boiler, thereby lubricatin g the steam before it passes to the engine; but when using animal oils the oil-conducting pipe leading to theengine direct should only be used, as animal oils injected into the body of the steam inside of the boiler has a tendency to cause priming.

When only supplying oil to the working parts ot' the engine by a direct connection between the valve-chamber and the lubricating apparatus the ow of oil may be continuous by the application of the hydrostatic pressure when the engine is working steam and the combination of the hydrostatic pressure and the action ot' the vacuum when the engine is running dry, thus insuring a certain action of the lubricating apparatus.

When it is not desirable to have acontinuous feed of oil the hydrostatic attachment may be shut off, and the engine will then only receive oil by the action of the vacuum when the same is running dry.

When the apparatus is tirst attached to the boiler the live-steam valve closing the communicationbetween the boiler and the condensingchamber should be slowly opened; then slowly open the valve closing the passage leading from the condenser to the oil-reservoir and allow the latter to gradually till with water. The globe-valves placed between the oilreservoir and the glass indicating-tubes should next be opened and the glass tubes allowed to till with water from the oil-reservoir. As soon as the glass indicating-tubes are filled with water the passage between the condensin g-chamber and the oil-reservoir may be closed by means of the valve 16. The waste-valve 19 should then be opened and all the water discharged from the reservoir that will pass out at that point, leaving a small quantity' of water in the lower end of the reservoir on a level with the vertical tube 18. The reservoir may now be filled with oil, and the apparatus is ready for lubricating purposes.

The water forced up into the glass indicating-tubes remains there, being prevented from returning to the oil-reservoir by the ball-valves, which form a trap at this point, the oil passing upward through the water in the glass tubes in the form ot' drops, and the excessive pressure in the oil-reservoir prevents the water from passing down through the ball-valves as the same open for the upward passage ot' the oil. The globe-valves 20 and 2l may now be adjusted to feed any required quantity of oil, and the oil passing to the parts to be lubricated may be noted in the glass indicatingtubes, and the rapidity of the flow regulated accordingly. The oil, being much the lighter body of the two, is drawn out of the glass tubes by the action of the vacuum, instead of the water, which always remains in the glass tubes.

In applying the apparatus to a stationary engine the proper connections should be made in the steam-pipe. The threaded projection 40 at the base of the oil-reservoir, as shown in Fig. 3 ofthe drawings, is for the purpose of attaching the apparatus to the boiler or steampipe. The valve 41 and the steam-pipe 42 (shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings) supplies steam to the air-brake attachment, and when arranged as shownin Fig. 11 of the drawings the oil and steam both pass into the pipe 42 through the valve 38.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an automatic lubricating apparatus, the combination, with the transparent oil-res ervoir A, of the condensing-chamber C, the condensing-tube 15, connected thereto, the globe-valve 16, the Siphon-pipe 17, and the vertical tube 18, arranged on the inside of the oil-reservoir A, substantially as herein shown and described.

2. In an automatic lubricating apparatus, the combination, with the transparent oil-reservoir A, of the Siphon-pipe 17, arranged vertically on the interior ot' the reservoir A, and having connection with the water passage leading to the condensing-chamber substantially as herein shown and described.

3. In an automatic lubricating apparatus,

the combination, with the transparent oil-reservoir A, of the Siphon-pipe 17 and the vertical tube 18, thereby forming a trap on the interior of the oil-reservoir A, for the purpose of trapping a portion of the water in the bottom of the same and preventing the oil from passing up into the siphon-pipe, substantially as herein shown and described.

- 4. In an automatic lubricating apparatus, the combination, with the transparent oi1-res ervoir A, of the regulating-valves 20 and 21, the ball-valves 22, adapted to back-seat iuside of a cage, the spiral springs 23, and the tapering nozzles 26, substantially as herein shown and described.

5. In an automatic lubricating apparatus, the combination, with the tapering nozzles 26, of the conducting-wires 27 and the metal ring or gasket 2S, substantially as herein shown and described.

6. In an automatic lubricating apparatus, the combination, with the glass indicatingtubes 24, of the cages 25, the tapering nozzles 26, the conducting-wires 27, and the metal the purpose of lubricating the same before it passes from the boiler into the dry-pipe lead- :c in g to the en gine, substantially as herein shown and described.

GEORGE W. BAKER. Witnesses CHARLES S. LOCKE, FRANK HoLUB. 

